Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok, I have some photos of my presumably 1966 330. It seems as though it might have been a fireglow because of the color in the pot hole. # in the hole is 3452. does anyone know what those numbers represent? And to get to my question. what types of finishes, were used? Poly or laquor? how many? Clear coat codes ? translucent color codes? Im trying to get all my ducks in a row and assemble parts and allocate funds. step one is finish. any help would be greatly appreciated!

Billy

They painted the inside of the soundhole?

this was a frankenbacker, somebody took it apart and rattle canned it back in the 70's this is after all the paint was stripped.No PU's, no tuners, no jack plate or truss cover. this has been sitting in the garage of a friend of mine for over 20 years and i finally got him to give it up. I traded my 64 mustang for it.

wkdesign wrote:Ok, I have some photos of my presumably 1966 330. It seems as though it might have been a fireglow because of the color in the pot hole. # in the hole is 3452. does anyone know what those numbers represent? And to get to my question. what types of finishes, were used? Poly or laquor? how many? Clear coat codes ? translucent color codes? Im trying to get all my ducks in a row and assemble parts and allocate funds. step one is finish. any help would be greatly appreciated!

Billy

The original finish Electro Strings Corp used on these was "Conversion Varnish". A sealer coat, then colour coats, and several clear coats to give it that high gloss finish. Send a PM to Paul Wilczynski (JINGLE JANGLE) - or read one of the threads here where he describes the process. I know it is not a poly or nitro finish. Reproducing the method that was original to the guitar is a rare skill set. And poor refins are alas very common.

My best guess as to the number is 345 batch 2. I have often seen model numbers with a letter ie 345 B or 365 D. The letter signifying what batch of instruments was going through the finishing process (on wooden carts which were moved between the different buildings at the Kilson Drive manufacturing facility).

On the other hand some previous owner might have written the SN in black magic marker in the cavity. No way to date the guitar without the letters, but if it was a 1966, that number would be FJ3452, if a 1967 then GH 3452. But I think that is much less likely then then previous explanation.

Good luck.

The 2 is actually a Z.




So this is what the finish would have really been:

jps wrote:The 2 is actually a Z.

I think you are correct - 345 - Z.

Here is a picture of the body cavity from a Feb 66 instrument.

They gave models back then whatever designation for the line had the most options possible...
330: no vibrato, only 2 pickups
335: vibrato
340: 3 pickups
345: vibrato and 3 pickups
So you'll usually see "345" written inside since that was its highest potential. Most ended up as 330 models. The Z... can't quite remember. Maybe a wild card for whatever finishes were needed that week. There used to be a photo on here somewhere of a code chart hanging on the factory wall but it would take forever to search for it.